The course will cover methods and methodologies used in religious studies, and may require students to do a project in analyzing Buddhist literature in various languages and from various sources. Topics in research methodology include ethics, objectives of the research, formulating the problem or issues, design and planning of research, data collection (qualitative and quantitative) and analyses, research report writing and presentation in writing and orally. Writing and presentation skills would also be analyzed using selected journal articles.

The course gives a comprehensive coverage of Indian Buddhism from its origin to the decline and disappearance of Buddhism in India, with focus on the Nikāya Buddhism, the rising of Mahāyāna and its significance in the development of Chinese Buddhism.